A "Community Health Assessment" of Ross County

Tuesday evening, the League of Woman Voters got a sneak peak at the state of health in Ross County. Kevin Coleman was in attendance.

Kim Jones is the Director of Community Health & Development for Adena Health System, which is also in Pike, Fayette, and Highland counties.

She pointed out that, though Ross County ranks 77th out of 88 Ohio Counties for health...it's 5th in clinical care.

Much of that disparity is because of Appalachian woes. Jones says part of her job is to figure out how to bridge that gap, and change the culture of health and create health equity locally.

Jones oversees Adena's Community Health Program, and spoke on the three-year "Community Health Assessment and Community Needs Plan" that they work on with more than 20 partners.

She says the final report should be out at the end of December. The 2019 report is available on the websites of Adena Health System and the Ross County Health District; other partners may have copies too.

"Partners for a Healthier Ross County" meet on the 3rd Mondays at the Chillicothe-Ross Public Library.

The League of Women Voters: Chillicothe - Ross County invited Jones to speak at their monthly meeting, and she invited them to the meeting room in the New Carlisle Building where her office is. Hear a podcast of an almost nine-minute interview with her below.

One of the partners is SEARCH, Southeastern Appalachian Regional Community Health.

Jones also mentioned that Ross County now has air quality monitoring via PurpleAir. One monitor is in Chillicothe, and another at Adena Regional Medical Center.

Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom or Kevin Coleman.